Multi-function organizer for smart watches and wrist watches

ABSTRACT

A multi-function organizer includes a holder coupled to a magnifying lens and base. The base defines a plane of stability. The holder is attached to the base and configured for supporting a wristwatch or smart watch while orienting the watch face generally perpendicular to the plane of stability, at a home location above the base. The magnifying lens is attached to the base at a location and positioned so that the lens magnifies the face when a watch is placed on the holder with its body at the home location. The holder may be configured for holding an inductive charger for a smart watch, so that when inserted into the holder, the charger is held adjacent to a rear surface the smart watch. The organizer may include a night light oriented to radiate light towards the home location, controlled by a sensor for detecting motion or touch.

FIELD

The present disclosure concerns organizers for holding portablearticles, and more particularly to an organizer for holding smartwatches, wristwatches, or other wearable articles when not in use.

BACKGROUND

Wristwatches have been a practical and popular accessory for over acentury, originally as purely mechanical devices for telling time, andlater also as electronic or electro-mechanical devices. More recently,makers of electronic portable accessories, such as smart phones, havebegun to develop and sell smart phone accessories having the form factorof a wristwatch, referred to herein as “smart watches.” Besides tellingtime, smart watches can perform many other functions in cooperation witha linked smart phone, using a wireless connection. However, smartwatches consume power at a much higher rate than regular electronicwatches, and require frequent charging, e.g., daily. While beingcharged, the smart watch cannot be worn, but is still functional. Often,users will charge their smart watches at night, while the users aresleeping. Many users may keep their smart watches near them whilesleeping, such as on a bedside table.

Bedside tables are often used to hold other accessories worn earlier inthe day by someone sleeping in an adjacent bed. For example, jewelryboxes or stands are often found on such tables, sometimes holdingconventional wristwatches as well as jewelry.

With so many compact timekeeping appliances residing on beside tableswhile their owners rest a few feet away, some watches are inevitablyconsulted for the time during moments the owners' of wakefulness. Many,however, are not. Many owners may find it difficult to see a watch dialor display with sleepy eyes in a dark room. The watch face may be toosmall or poorly illuminated to function well as a bedside clock. Someowners invest in a bedside clock with a larger display, which may beilluminated or glow in the dark. Others find illuminated clocks to bedisruptive of their sleep habits, and simply go without any sort oftimepiece in view that is actually useful for telling time.

It is evident, therefore, that millions of wristwatches and smartwatches are underutilized the world over, in a sense. These timekeepingappliances sit languishing on bedside tables, keeping perfectly goodtime while their owners cannot see them. It would be desirable toovercome these and other limitations of wristwatches and smart watchessomehow, while retaining their advantages in other circumstances.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing a first embodiment of amulti-function organizer holding a smart watch and pen, while chargingthe smart watch.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the multi-function organizer shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the multi-function organizer shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the multi-function organizer shownin FIG. 1, showing the magnifying lens in a folded position.

FIG. 5 is an exploded front perspective view of the multi-functionorganizer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of the base component of themulti-function organizer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a lower perspective view of the base component shown in FIG.6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the base component shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an interchangeable holder for asmart watch and its associated charging unit, for which said holder isattachable to the base component of the multi-function organizer usingmagnets.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the interchangeable holder shownin FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a lower perspective view of the interchangeable holder,showing magnets used to attach the holder to the base.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the interchangeable holder.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a magnifying lens component ofthe multi-function beside organizer, which attaches to the base using anintegral cylindrical boss that allows pivoting.

FIG. 14 is a rear lower perspective view of the magnifying lenscomponent, showing placement of a magnet for releasably stabilizing thelens component in an upright position.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the magnifying lenscomponent.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective of an alternative embodiment of themulti-function organizer, equipped with a slide-out lower tray.

FIG. 17 is another front perspective view of the organizer shown in FIG.16, showing the tray in an extended position.

FIG. 18 is a lower perspective view of the organizer shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a lower perspective view of the organizer shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the organizer shown with atransverse pedestal holding a conventional watch.

FIG. 21 is a side perspective view of the organizer shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the organizer shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of the organizer shown in FIG. 20showing the LED illumination on the watch face.

FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view of the frame assembly with LED's,controller, and battery. Switch, motion sensor, and other components canbe integrated into the controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes a multi-function organizer 10 thatincreases the utility of wristwatches and smart watches, whileorganizing these and other objects in a tidy and convenient fashion.Referring generally to FIGS. 1-15, in an embodiment, a base 100 isconfigured for stably resting on a flat surface, such as a table top. Assuch, an undersurface of the base 100 (see FIG. 7) may include aplurality of rubber feet 120 defining a plane of stability parallel toflat surface on which the base rests. The rubber feet may be set incorresponding recesses 122 in the base 100. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, themulti-function organizer 10 includes a holder 200 (also called apedestal) attached to the base 100 at a first location. In theillustrated embodiment, the first location is at a first of opposingends of the base 100. The holder 200 configured for supporting awristwatch or smart watch 30 and orienting a face thereof generallyperpendicular to the plane of stability defined by the base 100. Theholder 200 is designed to hold the body of the watch 30 at a homelocation above the base, oriented towards a magnifying lens 304. Thewatch 30 is shown for illustrative purposes, and is not part of themulti-function organizer 10. The illustrated major components (base 100,holder 200, and frame assembly 300) are designed for injection molding aABS, polycarbonate, or other structural plastic typically used in thefabrication of consumer products. Each of the base, holder, and frame,and other illustrated components of the organizer may comprise anassembly of parts or may be made as one piece. Other materials andmanufacturing modes may also be suitable, for example, additivemanufacturing or machining.

The holder 200 may include a cup-like receptacle, shown holding a pen 40for illustrative purposes; the pen is not part of the multi-functionorganizer 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the holder 100 has anoverall shape of a tapered cylinder, having an upper diameter suitablefor supporting a smart watch wristband, for example in the range ofabout 1 to 2 inches, or sufficient to accommodate timepieces with bothsmall and/or large bands. Other shapes and sizes may also be suitable.

While a smart watch 30 is illustrated, it should be appreciated that theholder would function similarly for holding a traditional watch. Witheither type of watch, the wristband fits around an outer perimeter ofthe holder 200, and is prevented from falling to the base by a pair ofprotruding ears 206 (at least one or more ears) to capture laterally andstops 208 to capture vertically, indicated in FIGS. 9-10. The holder 200may include two or more protruding stops 208 spaced around an outerperimeter of the holder, configured for preventing a wristband of thewristwatch or smart watch from sliding past the protruding stops towardsthe base, while retaining slack between the wristband and an exterior ofthe holder assembly 200 for ease of placement and removal. An innersurface 203 or the ears 206 engages the wristband. A continuous ledge(not shown) or similar feature may also be suitable for preventing thewatch 30 from falling to the base.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, a magnifying lens in a frame assembly 300is attached to the base 100 at a location spaced apart from the holder,oriented so that it magnifies the face when a watch is placed on theholder with its body at the home location. Advantageously, magnificationincreases visibility of the watch face for a user resting nearby. Bymoving the base slightly for example by tapping the table or nightstandon which the organizer resides, a user can trigger the motion sensor ofthe smart watch 30, causing it to display the time. Other sensors may beused to trigger the light, for example a capacitive switch.

In an aspect, the holder 200 is configured for holding a inductivecharger 20 for the smart watch adjacent to the home location. Thecharger cable shown in the accompanying illustrations is shown to have ashort length in order to illustrate both ends of the cable. Chargingcable lengths typically vary from 2 feet to 6 feet in length. As shownin FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, the holder 200 may include a slot 220 (“reartunnel”) passing through an exterior wall 202 thereof, for admitting acord of the inductive charger. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the holderincludes a charger-holding feature 210, configured so that the inductivecharger, when inserted into the holder, can be held adjacent to a rearsurface of a body of the smart watch. A recess 216 for an adhesive pad228 (e.g., sticky gel pad, double-sided adhesive tape, or museum putty,FIG. 12) may be used to hold the inductive component (charging disk) ofa charging assembly in the charger-holding feature 210. The cable forthe charger may be contained in the cable groove 212, run through thefront tunnel 214 and passed to the rear tunnel 220. In addition to theadhesive 228, or in an alternative, ribs 230 may be included in aperimeter of the charger-holding feature 210, for retaining the chargingdisk. Relief cuts 232 may be provided to enable users to more easilyremove a charging disk from the charger-holding feature 210. Thecup-like receptacle 204 is formed in an upper portion of the holder 200.Grooves 218 are features for material saving and for manufacturability.An underside 222 (FIGS. 11-12) may be hollowed out, also for materialsaving and for manufacturability.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the base 100 may include a tray-likereceptacle 112 in an upper surface thereof. A support post 124 may beincluded near the middle of the undersurface of the base, to bettersupport heavy items (e.g., jewelry or coins) or the force exerted by theuser on the tray 112 as they remove items from said tray. Such items maybe placed in the tray-like receptacle as desired by the user.

In an aspect, the holder 200 is releasable from the base 100. Whilemechanical fasteners may be used, in the illustrated embodiment,magnetic fasteners are used to releasably secure the holder to the base100. As shown in FIGS. 6, 8, 11 and 12, at least one of the base 100 orthe holder 200 includes one or more magnets 110, 224 for attaching theholder to the base. The magnets 110, 224 may be, for example, roundcylindrical rare-earth or ferrous magnets set into recesses 118, 226formed in the base 100 and/or holder 200. A portion 114 of the undersideof the base may be hollowed out for material saving and formanufacturability.

Referring to FIGS. 13-15, the multi-function organizer may include apivoting frame assembly 300 supporting the magnifying lens 304. Theframe assembly 300 A/B includes the lens 304 captured between a frame302 and a retainer 314. The frame 302 includes a lower hinge 308, whichmay include a pair of cylindrical posts 306 aligned along theirlongitudinal axes. The hinge 308 may further include a hollowed outportion 312, for material saving and for manufacturability. The posts306 fit into corresponding cylindrical recesses 102 in a knuckle 104 ofthe base 100 (FIGS. 6, 8). A hollowed out portion 105 may be included inthe knuckle, for material saving and for manufacturability. Acylindrical magnet 310 may be included in the hinge, for holding theframe assembly 300 upright as shown in FIG. 1. The frame assembly 300 isshown in the folded position in FIG. 4. A corresponding magnet 106 orferrous material may be included in a recess 116 of the base 100 (FIGS.6, 8), configured to attract the magnet in the frame assembly 300 A/Band releasably hold it in an upright position. A boss 108 may surroundthe magnet 106 to provide a hard stop for the pivoting frame assembly300 A/B.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 16-19, a multi-functionorganizer 400 includes all the features described for the organizer 10,plus a pull-out drawer 410 and associated components. The associatedcomponents may include, for example, a drawer pull 412, a guide 414,stops 418 and attachment screws 420 for the guide 414. Optionally, a padof paper 416 may be kept in the drawer 410.

Referring to FIGS. 20-24, a multi-function organizer 500 includes allthe features described for the organizer 10, except for a differentlyconfigured pedestal 506 designed to support a conventional watch 508 inan upright position. Optionally, the pedestal 506 may be madeinterchangeable with the holder 200 of organizer 10, and releasablyattach to the base 504 or base 100 using magnets or other releasablefasteners (e.g., hook-and-loop fabric). As in organizer 10, a lensassembly 502 magnifies the view of the watch face, making it easier towhen placed on a table or the like. Visibility may be enhanced byincluding one or more LED lights 512 directed to the watch face andpowered by a battery 514 via a PCB-mounted controller 510 (FIGS. 23-24).The lights 512 may be controlled by a motion sensor, capacitive sensor,or other switch.

In other alternative embodiments including but not limited to themulti-function organizers 500, 10 or 400, the organizer may include anight light oriented to radiate light towards the home location (wherethe watch face is located). The night light may be useful forilluminating a traditional watch, which lacks a light, as shown in FIGS.20-24; see light rays 516 in FIG. 23. In the alternative, or inaddition, the light 512, or a different light, may be configured toilluminate a different part of the multi-function organizer, forexample, a rim of the lens. The multi-function organizer may furtherinclude a sensor (not shown) for detecting at least one of motion ortouch, coupled to a controller 514 for controlling the night light inresponse to the sensor. A user interface device enabling user control ofthe controller 514 may also be included, including user selection of atleast “always off” and “sensor responsive” modes for controlling thenight light. For example, the user interface device may comprise amulti-pole slidable switch. In embodiments, the user interface devicefurther enables user selection of an “always on” mode for controllingthe night light, and perhaps other modes (e.g., “flicker” mode tosimulate candlelight, or “dim” mode, etc.). In an alternative, the nightlight and controller 514 may be packaged in a removable module thatcouples to an upper surface of the base, as an optional add-on. Ingeneral, components of the various multi-function organizers describedherein, or to the extent possible the organizers themselves, may beassembled from smaller pieces or each made as an integrated piece.

1. A multi-function organizer, comprising: a base configured for stableresting on a flat surface, defining a plane of stability; a holderattached to the base at a first location, configured for supporting awristwatch while orienting a face thereof generally perpendicular to theplane of stability defined by the base at a home location above thebase; and a night light; and a controller connected to the night lightfor detecting at least one of motion or touch and for controlling thenight light in response to the sensor.
 2. The multi-function organizerof claim 1, further comprising a magnifying lens attached to the base ata location spaced apart from the holder, oriented so that the lensmagnifies the face when a watch is placed on the holder with its body atthe home location.
 3. The multi-function organizer of claim 1, whereinthe holder is cylindrical with sidewalls surrounding a perimeter of anupwardly open central receptacle.
 4. The multi-function organizer ofclaim 1, further comprising in at least one of the base or the holderone or more magnets positioned for attaching the holder to the base. 5.The multi-function organizer of claim 1, wherein the holder isconfigured for holding an inductive charger for the smart watch adjacentto the home location, so that the inductive charger, when inserted intothe holder, can be held adjacent to a rear surface of a body of thesmart watch.
 6. The multi-function organizer of claim 5, wherein theholder includes a slot passing through an exterior wall thereof, foradmitting a cord of the inductive charger.
 7. The multi-functionorganizer of claim 1, wherein the holder has an overall shape of atapered cylinder, having an upper diameter in the range of 1 to 2inches.
 8. The multi-function organizer of claim 1, wherein at least oneof the base or the holder includes one or more magnets for attaching theholder to the base.
 9. The multi-function organizer of claim 1, whereinthe holder includes at least one or more protruding stops spaced aroundan outer perimeter of the holder, configured for preventing a wristbandof the wristwatch or smart watch from sliding past the protruding stops.10. The multi-function organizer of claim 1, wherein the holder isreleasable from the base.
 11. The multi-function organizer of claim 1,wherein an interior of the holder comprises a cup-like receptacle. 12.The multi-function organizer of claim 2, further comprising a pivotingframe supporting the magnifying lens.
 13. The multi-function organizerof claim 12, further comprising a magnet in at least one of the pivotingframe or the base, for holding the pivoting frame in an upward position.14. The multi-function organizer of claim 1, wherein the base includes atray-like receptacle in an upper surface thereof.
 15. The multi-functionorganizer of claim 1, further wherein the night light is oriented toradiate light towards the home location.
 16. The multi-functionorganizer of claim 1, further comprising a user interface deviceenabling user input to the controller, including user selection of atleast “always off” and “sensor responsive” modes for controlling thenight light.
 17. The multi-function organizer of claim 16, wherein theuser interface device further enables user selection of an “always on”mode for controlling the night light.
 18. The multi-function organizerof claim 1, wherein the night light and the controller are packaged in amodule that couples to an upper surface of the base.
 19. Themulti-function organizer of claim 18, wherein the module is removablefrom the base.
 20. The multi-function organizer of claim 1, wherein theholder is further configured for supporting the wristwatch in ahorizontal position wherein a wristband of the watch is parallel to theplane of stability.